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CMS extends oncology demonstration

Physician Practice Advisor, January 4, 2006

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) will extend its 2005 oncology demonstration for another year. The 2005 demonstration focused on measuring patient outcomes in three areas of concern often cited by patients undergoing chemotherapy: controlling pain, minimizing nausea and vomiting, and reducing fatigue. Physicians reporting G-code data on all three factors qualified for an additional payment of $130 per encounter for chemotherapy administration.

The 2006 oncology demonstration will build on the use of the 2005 G-codes to gather more specific information on the quality of care for cancer patients, including their treatments, the spectrum of care they receive from their doctors, and whether or not the care represents best practice.

Practices reporting data to Medicare under the 2006 program will qualify for an additional payment of $23. As with the 2005 demonstration, participation in this demonstration is voluntary and occurs on a claim-by-claim basis.

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